Exhaustion plagued him. So much was still uncertain that he knew sleep would elude him even if he were allowed to rest. Besides, his mind was churning too much.

Face it Ehren he thought. You do care more for her than a prince should. You practically grew up together, at least for the first four years. Even after she came back from the nuns her mother never brought her, only the youngest two. Everything happens for a reason, so there must be a reason she was brought back into your life. It can’t just be to rekindle an old friendship. Maybe Lady Asena was right. Maybe she needs help. Maybe she needs to be saved from herself.

“Eir, may I ask something about my relationship with Akira?”

“I cannot guarantee an answer, Prince,” Eir replied.

“Why is it I have no memory of her before that day in the throne room?”

“You should look to your memories of you father,” the goddess answered.

“I have no memories at all before that day in the throne room.”

“I do,” Ferros’s voice startled everyone in the room. “I remember what father was like. Believe me you’re better off not remembering what he was like.”